two compressors or sell and get a big one

[recklessnova]

Hello This is my first post joined this great site for the vast amount of information and help you all pass on to each-other
Anyway About 4 months ago I bought a kobalt air compressor its just a 30 gallon and I had been planning on just running some air tools and doing a little body work. my dad growing up always had a crappy little compressor that you could run for about 3 min on a da so i bought a little better. Anyways I am getting into powder coating and i want to do everything in house including sandblasting so i need way more compressor. right now my little kobalt makes 5.6 at 90 cfm not enough for a da let alone sandblaster. I am trying to decide to sell my kobalt and get a big 15-18 cfm at 90 compressor or to just but a smaller and about 300 dollar cheaper compressor that will put out about 10-11 and run them together when sandblasting.
I have a 30 amp 220 hookup that the compressor and oven will have to share so it would be nice to still have some air power without taking up the 220 plug.
What are you thoughts.
Thanks

[rodm1]

I'm in a slimier situation and I'm not even considering anything under 40cfm at 175psi. I'm afraid the 15-18 cfm at 90 compressor will be fare short for what you wont (industrial grade is a must). I'm even planing on getting another 40cfm at 175psi if the first one doesn't perform.

[recklessnova]

this isn't a pro shop kinda thing
all parts will be chemically stripped first and just using the sand blasting to get a nice uniform service so the powder can stick
nothing much bigger then a wheel or so for now.
anyone else using a blaster on less then 80 cfm
I know its possible not the best way about it im sure but It is what it is
Thanks
Josh

[Shocker]

80cfm? Nothing less than 40cfm? Is it just me or is that a TON of air?

I have been looking at compressors in the 15cfm range or so. I have only seen one near 40cfm and it was a 3 phase 440v 10hp with 120g tank. $4500.

Maybe I am missing something?

[Skyline]

Have you actually tried sandblasting with your current compressor? I have one about that size, (not sure of the CFM, but it is the biggest 110v unit Craftsman sells...5hp), and I used it to do some sandblasting on a car I was restoring. Not a whole car mind you, but modest areas. It worked fine. A bit of waiting sometimes, but it worked very effectively. For smaller parts like you mention, you might just be OK with your current compressor. I guess a part of the equation is how big a sandblaster you're using; the one I rented held about 30lbs of sand in the hopper, and had a pistol type blaster.

[W-Cummins]

80cfm? Nothing less than 40cfm? Is it just me or is that a TON of air?

I have been looking at compressors in the 15cfm range or so. I have only seen one near 40cfm and it was a 3 phase 440v 10hp with 120g tank. $4500.

Maybe I am missing something?


Nope your not missing any thing well except that most 10 hp compressors are around 34-36 cfm:-)

I would say that a 7.5 ( REAL HP compressor) is the bare min for any type of real sandblasting. Now yes I know you CAN run a sandblaster with less ( I have run my 20 cfm machine on my 100lb pressure pot) BUT I would not want to do it even "semi" regularly if I was doing it to produce a profit. Now if your time is worth 5 cent per hour you can use a setup that will blast to a "white metal state" at a rate of 1 sq ft a hour.

Another good setup would be 2 high end 5hp machines running in tandem. Of course some compressor manufactures even sell them that way (mounted to a single larger tank) and they are slick if you can find one.

BTW I have over 90 cfm between my 2 compressors

William...

[recklessnova]

Thank you all for the replies. I am going to use a pressure blaster of 110 gallons. I Think I have decided on the 80 gal 5 hp 19.1 cfm at 100 psi compressor from Eaton Calling them today to check on delivery times and what not. Will let you all know how it goes.
The blasting cabinet I got yesterday Is 6ft tall with legs and the inside is about 4x4x5 feet its huge Needs a little lovin But in sound condition picked it up for 100 bucks with a smaller blasting cabinet close to the size of the bench top cabinet from harbor freight. Figured it would cost me that much or more in metal to build one so I feel good about the deal.
Thanks for the information
Josh

[W-Cummins]

Thank you all for the replies. I am going to use a pressure blaster of 110 gallons. I Think I have decided on the 80 gal 5 hp 19.1 cfm at 100 psi compressor from Eaton Calling them today to check on delivery times and what not. Will let you all know how it goes.
The blasting cabinet I got yesterday Is 6ft tall with legs and the inside is about 4x4x5 feet its huge Needs a little lovin But in sound condition picked it up for 100 bucks with a smaller blasting cabinet close to the size of the bench top cabinet from harbor freight. Figured it would cost me that much or more in metal to build one so I feel good about the deal.
Thanks for the information
Josh

A 110 gallon pressure pot is way to large for a punney 5hp compressor. That size machine ( probably holds way over 500 lbs of sand) and needs over 100 cfm to run! Sounds like the blasting cab your looking at will need way more air too better re-think your setup


William....

[recklessnova]

wow I feel dumb the blaster i have isnt 100 gallons its 100 lbs. Insert foot in mouth. sorry about that confusion.
The cabinet I have is just going to be used as the box so my sand from the pressure blaster dosent go everywhere and so i have a way to collect it for reuse. I fell into the deal and will post pictures if i can
Ordered that eaton almost went with the 7.5 but after thinking about it I dont want to overload the pannel so that 40 amp breaker is going to work fine I have 100 amp breaker feeding the garage.
Thanks a lot to all that have replied
Josh

[LoneGunman]

Do a search for a PA Blaster, yes it's worth the few bucks he charges for the plans. I blast a LOT, I love my Eaton 7.5 HP, unless you have multiple operators or are using pressure pots with large diameter hoses you will never need more than it puts out.